Articles, systems, and methods for dispensing volatile materials

Abstract

Articles, systems and methods for dispensing multiple volatile materials into the environment, including but not limited to scents, are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, a method for scenting a room occupied by a person is provided that includes the steps of: (a) dispersing into the room a first scent element for a play period, the play period being long enough for the person to comprehend an aroma while not exceeding an interval of time in which the person would become desensitized to the aroma; (b) dispersing into the room a second scent element for the play period after completing the play period associated with the first scent element, the second scent element being different than the first scent element; and (c) dispersing into the room a third scent element for the play period after completing the play period associated with the second scent element, the third scent element being different than both of the first and second scent elements.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for scenting a room occupied by a person, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) dispersing into the room a first scent element for a play period, said play period being long enough for the person to comprehend an aroma while not exceeding an interval of time in which the person would become desensitized to the aroma;    (b) dispersing into the room a second scent element for said play period after completing said play period associated with said first scent element, said second scent element being different than said first scent element; and    (c) dispersing into the room a third scent element for said play period after completing said play period associated with said second scent element, said third scent element being different than both of said first and second scent elements.    
     
     
         2 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 1 , wherein said play period is from about 15 to 60 minutes.  
     
     
         3 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 1 , wherein said play period is from about 20 to 40 minutes.  
     
     
         4 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 1 , wherein said play period is about 30 minutes.  
     
     
         5 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 1 , wherein said dispersing in steps (a) through (c) comprises the substeps of: 
 (i) activating said scent element; and    (ii) diffusing said activated scent element into the room.    
     
     
         6 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 5 , wherein said play period includes a first sub-period and a second sub-period; 
 said substep of activating said scent element is performed only during said first sub-period; and    said substep of diffusing said activated scent element into the room is performed during both said first and second sub-periods.    
     
     
         7 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 6 , wherein said play period is from about 15 to 60 minutes and said second sub-period is from about 5 to 10 minutes.  
     
     
         8 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 6 , wherein said play period is from about 20 to 40 minutes and said second sub-period is from about 5 to 10 minutes.  
     
     
         9 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 6 , wherein said play period is about 30 minutes and said second sub-period is about 8 minutes.  
     
     
         10 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 5 , wherein said substep of activating said scent element is performed by heating said scent element.  
     
     
         11 . A method for scenting a room as defined by  claim 5 , wherein said substep of diffusing said activated scent element into the room is performed by blowing air over said activated scent element.